Origins of JazzPerhaps the greatest cultural and musical origin in all of American history; jazz offers a unique sincerity and magnetism that has stood the test of time. From its humble beginnings in New Orleans, jazz quickly spread throughout the United States and soon became an illustrious component of American culture. This art form not only offered a distinct and musically euphonious perspective, but also gave a voice to the African American community. The development of jazz broke down barriers and boundaries, forever shaping music and culture around the world. Emerging in the late 18th and early 20th centuries, the earliest point of origin of what is now modern jazz can be traced to New Orleans, Louisiana. In particular a place called Congo Square (now part of Louis Armstrong Park) is considered the birthplace of jazz. Here, it is recorded that enslaved Africans gathered to keep their culture alive through song and dance. Using primarily drums and other percussion instruments, they were able to create pulsating, pulsating anthems to their heritage (Evans 1-2). With the subsequent incorporation of accompaniment with other instruments and other musical styles, these characteristic rhythmic cells and vigorous drumbeats became intrinsic to the development of what would later become jazz (Evans 2-3). Marching bands spread widely throughout the 19th century due to surplus drums and brass instruments previously used by the military after the Civil War, especially among black and Creole musicians. Thus, the syncopated polyrhythm of African music was mixed with traditional marching music and other popular musical styles, and became... middle of paper... "Call and Response - The Sound of Collaboration." InstituteFor the study of knowledge management in education. October 10, 2013:Web. April 12, 2014. Take your pick, Margaret. “Speakeasys, Flappers, and Red Hot Jazz: Music of Prohibition.” riverwalk.jazz.stanford.edu. Stanford University, February 3, 2005: page. No. 1-2.Web. 13 April 2014. Scaruffi, Piero. The history of jazz music. : P. Scaruffi, 2007. pag.n. 188-272. Print.Shakakeeny, Matt. “Brass Bands of New Orleans” Get to know the LA Encyclopedia of Louisiana. Ed. David Johnson. Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. May 19, 2011: Page No. 1-4.Web. April 15, 2014. Teichroww, Jacob. “Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement: How Jazz Musicians Spoke Out for Racial Equality.” About.com Jazz.12 December 2009: page. No. 1-2Web. April 13. 2014.